Prize and adornment[edit]
As of 2015[update], the prize consists of €150,000[1] and an
adornment that was designed by
Bruno Ninaber van EybenBruno Ninaber van Eyben in 1995. The
adornment is a ribbon folded in the style of a harmonica, with ends
made of titanium plates. The ribbon bears a text in the handwriting of
ErasmusErasmus taken from a letter to
Jean CarondeletJean Carondelet written on 5 January
1523. The text reads "variae sunt ingeniorum dotes multae seculorum
varietates sunt. quod quisque potest in medium proferat nec alteri
quisquam invideat qui pro sua virili suoque modo conatur publicis
studiis utilitatis aliquid adiungere.", which translates as "Diverse
are the gifts of men of genius and many are the different kinds of
ages. Let each one reveal the scope of his competence and let no one
be envious of another who in keeping with his own ability and style
tries to make a useful contribution to the education of all."[3]
Ceremony[edit]
The award ceremony typically takes place at the Royal Palace of
Amsterdam, where the prize is presented by the patron of the
Foundation (King
Willem-Alexander of the NetherlandsWillem-Alexander of the Netherlands as of
2015[update]). A wide range of academic and cultural activities are
organised around the
ErasmusErasmus Prize award ceremony, in cooperation with
other academic and cultural organisations. These have included
lectures, conferences, workshops, exhibitions, performances of dance,
music and theatre, and other educational activities. An essay on the
topic of the laureate and their work is also published.[4]
The prize was first awarded in 1958. As of 2015[update] it has been
awarded a total of 73 times in 53 years.[1][5] The area in which the
ErasmusErasmus prize will be awarded is decided upon in advance by the
Foundation's board. An advisory committee then consults with Dutch and
foreign experts before proposing a laureate; the final choice of the
laureate is then made by the Foundation's board.[4]
Young researchers[edit]
The
ErasmusErasmus prize is not intended to stimulate young researchers.[4]
However, the
Praemium Erasmianum FoundationPraemium Erasmianum Foundation has awarded from 1988
yearly "studyprizes" for exceptionally high quality PHD studies on the
field of humanities or social sciences.
Prize winners[edit]

Photo
Year
Winner
Notes
References

1958
The People of Austria
Cultural heritage. Awarded at the University of Milan. Prize funds
were granted to
AustriansAustrians studying in Europe; foreign students
studying in Austria; and excavations at Ephesus.
[5][6]

2015
community
For "[promoting] the dissemination of knowledge through a
comprehensive and universally accessible encyclopaedia. To achieve
that, the initiators of have designed a new and effective
democratic platform. The prize specifically recognises as a
community—a shared project that involves tens of thousands of
volunteers around the world."
[1][2]

2016
A. S. Byatt
For inspiring contribution to 'life writing'
[8][9]

2017
Michèle Lamont
"For her devoted contribution to social science research into the
relationship between knowledge, power and diversity"
[10]